LV Life

Oduwole flies high with dreams of success

Tokunbo "Toks" Oduwole has been teaching Tae Kwon Do at La Verne for four years. When he is not teaching at La Verne, he is counseling students at Chaffey College. Sometimes Oduwole will take time to show his students one of his best moves, a jumping side kick over three of his students. He once broke a board jumping over eight people. / photo by Veero Der-Karabetian
Tokunbo “Toks” Oduwole has been teaching Tae Kwon Do at La Verne for four years. When he is not teaching at La Verne, he is counseling students at Chaffey College. Sometimes Oduwole will take time to show his students one of his best moves, a jumping side kick over three of his students. He once broke a board jumping over eight people. / photo by Veero Der-Karabetian

by Araceli Esparza
Staff Writer

When Tae Kwon Do instructor Tokunbo “Toks” Oduwole left his family and homeland in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1982, he arrived at the University of La Verne with aspirations of earning a bachelor’s degree in art.

Two years later, Oduwole completed his education at La Verne and, gradually, his dreams began to take shape.

By the time of his graduation, he had an idea of where he stood in regards to his future and did not hesitate to pursue what he wanted. A self-motivated individual, he did not take advantage of what he learned at the University.

Among the knowledge he acquired, Oduwole learned the tactics of martial arts, specifically of Tae Kwon Do.

During the time of his study, Tae Kwon Do existed at ULV as an extracurricular club. It gained recognition, and soon became offered as a general education course for physical education.

“I liked the idea of a little man being able to defend himself against much larger, taller opponents,” said the 5-foot-9 native Nigerian. “Tae Kwon Do gave me that impression. It gave me a sense of self-confidence.”

According to Oduwole, many people have the impression that, in learning Tae Kwon Do, a person can go out and just “beat anyone up.”

The true objective of the art is to encourage self-confidence, and to help an individual acquire the skills necessary in order to even up with an opponent.

Tae Kwon Do is formed by several principles which are essential in the way of living and thinking. Inclusive of the principals are the practice of courtesy, justice, perseverance, self-control and fighting spirit.

Said Oduwole, “Each [principle] can be incorporated into life, not just Tae Kwon Do. For example, self-control means taking control of one’s life. It means staying away from drugs and self-destructive activities…to be in control, even in the midst of peer pressure. Through fighting spirit, it is vital that a person portrays the attitude of ‘It’s not over until everything is over.’ “

Oduwole has learned a great deal about Tae Kwon Do, but like any study, attaining this knowledge took time and effort. He, too, began as a white belt, later working his way toward higher degrees of rank.

In 1994, when Humberto Samaniego, founder of Tae Kwon Do at ULV, graduated from the University, Oduwole was encouraged to take over the position. With confidence, he accepted, and has carried on the art since.

Three years later, and after seven years of practice, Oduwole currently stands with a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has yet to attain the remaining degrees, for there are eight levels to surpass before achieving the highest rank.

Oduwole continues to work toward attaining this level of Tae Kwon Do and is dedicated to excel in the area of martial arts. However, his life has not always revolved around martial arts.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from ULV, Oduwole realized the importance of personal education. He cared for his own accomplishment in school and felt confident in others’ potential to accomplish as well.

Motivated by this perspective, Oduwole returned to the University in order to attain a master’s degree in school counseling. After successfully doing so, he began his life as a guidance counselor at Rancho Cucamonga’s Chaffey College in 1993.

“I’ve always been a people person. It’s one of the ways to get closer to people, to help people,” Oduwole said. “My job is beautiful because I get to help people. They come to me with unanswered questions and may be disoriented in direction.”

When questioned of why he felt so intrigued by his job, Oduwole simply said, “I help students plan their education and give them ideas of resources. I see students walk into my office distressed. After I help them discuss their concern, it is rewarding to see them walk out the door with a smile.”

Oduwole truly is a people person. By instinct, he can determine, from an individual’s general appearance, if he/she is bothered by something. Perhaps this is the result of working with so many people, or perhaps it is just because he does his best to help them relax.

In his own life, Oduwole has found many ways of relaxation and comfort. Aside from his role as leader and confidant, he enjoys playing and writing his own music.

With his band, Toks and Greg Freeman, assistant of Tae Kwon Do at the University of La Verne, they perform at several restaurants and colleges, including ULV and Chaffey. Through the instrumentation of the bass guitar, drums and congas, Oduwole and Freeman brings to life Reggae and traditional African music.

“I try to write at least four or five songs a year,” Oduwole said. “I love music; it is a soothing way to express oneself, and can be used as an avenue for attaining peace of the mind and tranquility.”

The manner in which Oduwole lives and thinks reflects yet another principle of Tae Kwon Do and of life itself: “Nothing is impossible once I put my mind to it.”

Araceli Esparza
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Veero Der-Karabetian
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